Slashdot Mirror
Launch of OSS For Mobile Phones
Linux Mobile Phone Guy writes "Members of the open source GPE project (GPE Palmtop Environment) today announced a new offspring project to create a fully open source software stack for mobile phones, GPE Phone Edition.
GPE Phone Edition is a fully open source project based on developments from
the GPE project adding necessary components for mobile phone usage. Based on
standards defined by the LiPS Forum a complete application software stack is built. The current implementation is based on code contributed to the
LiPS Forum by Orange/France Telecom's research and development lab located
in Beijing China in collaboration with GPE project members.
The result is now an open sourced software stack which can handle a GSM
compliant mobile modem for making voice calls, handling the SIM address
book and sending and receiving SMS. Also some additional application
exists e.g. for media playback, instant messaging and email.
They have some screenshots there and even a downloadable VMware image
using which you can try the whole thing in a virtual phone on your PC — if you connect a GSM Modem (like an existing phone) to /dev/GSM-Modem
you should probably even be able to use the full phone functionality
(access SIM card, send/receive SMS, make a call!)."
Well, hopefully Openmoko [http://www.openmoko.com/] if that ever appears.
Open Source Drum Kit, LPLC deve board - mjhdesigns.com
Greenphone from Trolltech already has a development device available, although it is a bit pricey for common usage ($695 USD). Does anyone have any information about the differences in the project?
I'm looking forward to the day that I can buy a phone and install an open source OS on it, customize everything to be just the way I want it, etc. This projects brings that day one step closer. Congratulations, and good luck!
Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
Coming soon: software to turn a bunch of mobile phones into a Beowulf cluster.
Please correct me if I got my facts wrong.
Being able to run a virtual phone on a PC is what entices me. It means anyone can sit at home and play around, write software, etc, even without owning a phone. While this is all "for fun", by the time these phones become cheap and accessible there will be a mass of kids who already have the expertise to use and program these devices.
I'll definately check this out on my PC.
Good point, but I believe the QPE is dual licensed and cannot be used commercially under the GPL, as it uses the QT. This is a fairly major handicap.
A GPL-only framework would be much more palatable to phone makers as it would allow them to use it in their commercial products without fees. If they have to pay to use it, they'll probably just continue developing their own solutions as they have in the past. I know I would.
I'm generally against GPL, but in this instance, I think it's a good idea. Phone companies have already shown how selfish they are, even when it's to their own detriment. Forcing them to share their source will be a good thing for them and us both.
"If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
I don't blame you for mincing words, but OpenMoko is an alternative software stack for mobile phones, similar to this one. You meant to mention the Neo1973, which is the phone that OpenMoko's initially going to run on.
I think you totally missed the point here. While the ability to use the virtual phone while it's hooked a real phone is neat, but real benefit comes from being able to create and test phone applications with real connectivity, and without taking a chance on destroying a real phone.
I must say, though, the idea of hooking asterisk to a real cellphone for calls like this is intriguing already.
Also, for those looking for a mirror, These finally loaded:
http://gpe.linuxtogo.org.nyud.net:8080/
http://gpephone.linuxtogo.org.nyud.net:8080/
"If you make people think they're thinking, they'll love you; But if you really make them think, they'll hate you." - DM
The LiMo Foundation
OpenMoko
The GreenPhone
Now, why this is all labled under the term "Tuxphone" is beyond me. It's misleading at best. But it's probably still the most open effort around, as there simply is NO completely open solution here. There are lots and lots of companies which claim to offer an Open Source cellphone, but they all lie. When it gets right down to it, there's at least one part which is closed off and locked up. This includes Trolltech's Greenphone.
Note there are better replacement libraries for the Tuxphone, which are more robust, generalized and secure. Here's one: libgsmc.sourceforge.net .
Regarding the Carriers, this entire project doesn't appear to deal with the protocol that goes out over the airwaves. That's still locked up. What this DOES deal with is standardizing the interface to the chips which DO handle the actual airwave protocol.
GSM chips offer an interface which is just like a modem. ATDT..., but taken well beyond what Hayes originally intended. Yet it still works. So this effort doesn't seem to be dealing with the airwave protocols at all.
Or, in short, no, you won't be able to hack the cellphone network.
Regarding DRM, that remains to be seen. It's unlikely that any DRM will be put in for GSM. GSM is a well-defined international standard that anyone can use. But for non-GSM networks, forget it. There's not a chance in the world that the Carriers will open up their non-GSM networks. They like it locked down, and strongly so. Otherwise, they can reem you for all the rediculous charges on your cellphone.
Or, in otherwords, it's not your phone. It's theirs.
If anybody can actually find this mythical vmware image can you post a link please.
This isn't like getting a PC onto the internet, where any software can be installed and anything that talks TCP/IP can connect. Like it or not (and I don't), many of the more recent phones, music players, etc. are not open platforms in that sense. And the service providers are more than a tad concerned about keeping control of what connects to their networks. (I don't know whether their worries are about a compromised device crashing the network, introducing some unreliability, or just bypassing one of their many ways to profit from every byte that gets transferred.)
Do we have any reason to think that this stack will be treated any differently?
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You can run your own software on quite a few GSM phones, which typically don't have any memory protection in order to save on hardware costs. You can pretty much do anything with a Symbian based phone that you want and there haven't been any massive service outages yet.
The control issue is only about selling you extras. They want you to have to purchase $2 wallpapers, ringtones, etc. from the carrier.